In this episode, we will look at what happened when the fantastical dream that was space exploration became reality - and the future became the past.
Opening with a full-on discussion of what could be called "the first modern space exploration film", Ikarie XB 1 - we will continue to explore how the subgenre developed after Jurij Gagarin became the first human to leave our planet.
While it still feels a little odd to say it, space exploration is no longer exclusively science fiction. We will actually look at documentaries and biopic, such as For All Mankind, First Man and Space Walk - looking at events sometimes more than 50 years in the past.
We will also look at the biggest films taking up the mantle of 2001 and Solyaris - to various levels of success - with Interstellar and High Life - not to mention horror and/or found footage films like Alien and Europa Report - and much, much more.
And throughout all of this we will look back at the question from our previous episode, namely what films are actually using the space exploration subgenre to do.
Is it about creating a true sense of exploration - which we saw in the early films of fantasy. Is it about exploring concepts, such as 2001? Or is it about exploring the human psyche, as in Solyaris.
We have found examples of each - not to mention overlaps.
So strap yourself in as we take on all modern space exploration.
Do let us know what you think we missed. We know, we know, there's several.
And do visit us on ICM Forum.com to let us know what your favourite space exploration films are - and why!
We can't wait to hear from you.
-
Ikarie XB1 and Europa Report will have spoiler warnings. Simply jump to the next film using the time codes below when this happens:
Ikarie XB 1: 2:21
For All Mankind: 18:15
First Man: 23:07
Space Walk: 28:36
Alien: 33:05
2010: 38:59
Interstellar: 41:48
On Silver Globe: 47:30
Europa Report: 53:07
Prometheus: 1:07:39
Gravity: 1:11:29
Sunshine: 1:15:39
The Martian: 1.17.32
High Life: 1.22.30
